Overall Solution News

More than 1000 ships are expected to be ordered per year through 2030, and with growing pressure on the shipping industry to decarbonize, the shipowners must be careful with fuel selection and ship design, as a misstep here can have damaging consequences in the future.This is according to the latest Maritime Forecast to 2050 launched Tuesday by DNV.DNV stressed that shipping decarbonization was no longer just a top priority for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), but for the regional and national legislators…

Since summer 2017, four vessels equipped with analog sonars have been upgraded using RTsys AS3i technology (Analog Surface Ship Sonar Improvement), which digitalized and improved the processing of signals rendered by sensors.Brittany-based company RTSYS does not only deals with AUV, subsea recorders and buoys, but can also display a full range of sonar systems such as handheld devices for divers or sonar retrofit. The latter of which led the French SME to lately offer in summer…

A new integrated ‘Full Picture’ technology delivery is set to enable significant operational efficiencies for the MEXMAR owned Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), SEACOR Maya. Mantenimiento Express Marítimo SAPI de CV (MEXMAR) is SEACOR Marine’s joint venture in Mexico, which operates 15 offshore supply vessels. The contract, signed this September for delivery in January 2018, focuses on the integration of a sophisticated new hybrid power solution designed by Kongsberg to assist SEACOR Marine and MEXMAR in meeting strict environmental regulations by decreasing CO2…

As part of the ongoing Blue Star Delos Renewable Energy Innovation Project, Eco Marine Power (EMP) stated that the Aquarius Management & Automation System (MAS) installed on Blue Star Delos has been updated with new fuel oil consumption (FOC) and emissions monitoring software. This updated software combined with the Aquarius MAS hardware allows for fuel consumption data from all flow meters on the ship to be displayed and logged in real-time. In addition CO2, NOx and SOx emissions are calculated based on the fuel type being used. Data is logged every minute and via a connection to a dedicated GPS unit, the ships location and speed is displayed and logged. A trip-meter is also available so that fuel consumption can be monitored for a specific time period or voyage.

The Mariner Group announced it has been recognized again by Government Security News (GSN) as the Most Notable Seaport Security Solution in this year’s Airport, Seaport, & Border Security Awards Program. The awards program covers security initiatives completed within the past 12 months in categories ranging from Access Control to Underwater Surveillance and Integrated Security Programs. The GSN Awards acknowledge exceptional programs and technologies for security at airports, seaports and borders. Mariner’s submission described how CommandBridge—their situation awareness platform — challenges traditional security methods by emphasizing the importance of context. This contradicts the common misconception that simply adding extra sensors results in increased awareness.

ESSI Corporation and Hughes team up to address the unique requirement of this hardworking maritime sector. When ESSI Corporation and Hughes teamed in 2009 to deliver broadband VSAT services to the workboat industry, they quickly discovered that not only was this a unique industry, but also that when it came satellite communications, several important requirements had to be satisfied to keep these customers happy. As a service provider, a customized service tailored to those needs evolved. According to ESSI Corporation’s Emil Regard, offshore workboats and OSV’s first and foremost demand a certainty that the bandwidth ordered will be available, anytime, especially in the worst of conditions.

Five concrete offers have been received for the companies of the Hamburg-based Sietas Group. This is the result of the second phase of the extensive search for investors by the receiver of the Sietas shipyard, Berthold Brinkmann. During the first phase, a number of potential investors were approached by HSH Corporate Finance, which had been commissioned with the task, and interested parties were asked to submit indicative offers. During the second phase, these offers were to be put into more concrete terms and confirmed after an in-depth due diligence assessment. Receiver Berthold Brinkmann commented as follows: “The five binding offers that we have meanwhile received for the Sietas Group companies include both an overall solution as well as the acquisition of individual companies.

A number of prospective buyers have emerged for the companies of the Sietas Group. This is the result of the extensive investor search conducted by Berthold Brinkmann, receiver of the Sietas shipyard: "A number of people are interested in an overall solution, and there is special interest in Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik (NMF) and Norderwerft. Today, the board of creditors of the Sietas shipyard asked me to enter into concrete negotiations with the prospective buyers." As reported, these prospective buyers have already submitted indicative offers, and they are to concretise and confirm these offers by mid-May. For this purpose, an in-depth due diligence audit is now starting, including the disclosure of all business documents of the Sietas shipyard, NMF and Norderwerft.

Achieving the Finnish windpower target by 2020 (6 TWh, approx. 2500 MW installed capacity) requires the implementation of several major offshore wind parks. The recently approved production tariff is not sufficient for implementation of offshore wind parks at the present cost level, and thus costs need to be reduced. Together with their customers, STX Finland, Meriaura and Hafmex have launched a ‘design-to-cost’ project, that seeks to significantly reduce the lifecycle costs of offshore wind parks. Demand for electricity is expected to grow in the coming years, at same time that prices are expected to increase. After Italy, Finland is the second largest net importer of electricity within the EU…

Global AC drives manufacturer Vacon has signed a three-year supply agreement with Virginia-based Bristol Compressors International Inc. The supply agreement covers design and manufacture of AC drives that will be used to control Bristol Compressors' Benchmark VStar variable speed compressors. "This partnership with Bristol Compressors allows Vacon to strengthen its foothold in North America in the high-volume residential HVAC marketplace which is an exciting growth opportunity for Vacon," says Tom Doring, President, Vacon North America. "This new compressor represents a major technical leap forward in efficiency and sound reduction, and we are excited to be part of the overall solution".

When Admiral Robert J. Papp assumed the duties of the 24th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on May 25, 2010, he also served notice that it won’t be business as usual at headquarters. Papp, unlike his three immediate predecessors, apparently has no intention of setting the world on fire by instituting sweeping changes. Inside the Coast Guard, the proverbial round turn is probably good news. For maritime businesses that trudge along under the collective weight of mounting regulatory burdens, an arguably willing partner now resides in the C-suite. From Papp’s perspective, the overarching link for all of the Coast Guard’s collective missions is the maritime aspect of their service.

Agreement has been reached between Kværner and its largest shareholder, Aker Maritime, on a comprehensive industrial and financial solution for the Kværner group. This solution means that Kværner will secure additional equity through share issues and through the merger of Aker Maritime's core business with Kværner Oil & Gas. It builds on the main lines of the modified Yukos plan presented by Aker Maritime last week. Kværner's other large shareholder, Russia's Yukos Oil, has announced its support for the new solution and has withdrawn its original proposal. Negotiations are continuing with the bank coordinating committee on modified lending terms, and agreement on a recommended solution is expected within 24-48 hours.